Caturday

My belly. Let me show it to you.
Rubbings may commence.

The Return of Caturday!

With little regard to federal mail tampering laws,
Jack decides to eat the USPO property anyway.

I'm a double finalist! Sort of.

In the last two days I've received notification that both Blood Rights and Dark Kiss of the Reaper have finaled in some kind of readers/reviewers choice contest. Both nominations make me endlessly happy - who wouldn't like knowing that their stories meant that much to someone?

Both contests allow readers to vote, so if you're feeling clicky, here's where to go:


Blood Rights - Goodreads Choice Awards 2011 - just mouse over the cover of Blood Rights and a Vote button will pop up. Then, you know, click it. I think you have to be a member of Goodreads, but I'm not 100% sure. Anyone know?



Dark Kiss of the Reaper - The Romance Reviews - find the Best PNR - Angels and Demons category, then next to Dark Kiss of the Reaper click Vote Now. Again, not sure if you have to be registered, but I don't think so.


Regardless of how these contests come out, I'm just psyched to have two of my books recognized this way. Sure beats cleaning out cat boxes. Which I probably need to go take care of...

Things I Learned At Comic Con

Last weekend, I went to New York Comic Con, which was also my first con of this type. I did two signings at the Orbit booth and on Saturday, I dressed up as a noble vampire from my series. On Sunday, I was part of an awesome panel with some truly great authors (Patricia Briggs, Alison Goodman, Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Marjorie M. Liu, Sabrina Benulis and me. You can watch some snippets from that panel here.) It was TONS of fun and a rather educational experience at the same time. Here are a few things I learned that I thought I would share.

1. Costume is a loose term. It could mean body paint and boxer-briefs or a contraption that requires stilts and a minder. It could also mean a headband with ears.

2. If you have issues with large crowds, being unable to move through them and lack of personal space, stay home.

3. Deodorant should be mandatory. It should be whatever is more mandatory than mandatory. And yet, it isn't. I think I now know what a dead body smells like.

4. You will wait in line for everything. Not just to see your favorite artist, author or celeb, but food, bathrooms and transportation.

5. People are really nice, very friendly and for the most part, willing to chat.

6. No matter how much you think you know about popular culture, chances are Comic Con will still make you feel a little dumb.

7. If you're wearing fangs, some men will ask you to bite them.

8. Even if you're not wearing fangs, some men will ask you to bite them.

9. You'll come away worn to the bone tired, but also oddly energized by the general enthusiasm for art, writing and fun.

10. Lastly, bring your own water! $4 for a bottle sucks.

Ultimately, I can't wait to go back. I met some great folks who came to the signings and loved getting to talk to all the readers. What a fun first con!

Getttin' My Geek On

I'm off to NY Comic Con today and I could not be more excited. Not only will I be signing Blood Rights at the Orbit Booth #939 on Saturday (5pm) and Sunday (11am) but I'll be on an awesome panel Sunday:

PANEL: WE’RE NO ANGELS: Leading Ladies of SF/F
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: 1A23

Beware the women of Sci-Fi/Fantasy … and their kick-ass heroines. Kristen Painter joins Patricia Briggs, Alison Goodman, Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Marjorie M. Liu and Sabrina Benulis.

If you see me on Saturday, you might not recognize me as I'll be in costume as a noble vamp. Yes, I'm cray-cray like that.

Today it begins

Two important things take place today.

1. My dad's birthday - Happy birthday, Dad!

2. Blood Rights releases in the UK and Australia. If you live in either place and see Blood Rights on a shelf somewhere, I'd love a pic!

Other than that, I'll just be writing away as usual, working my fingers down to nubs on book 4, Out For Blood. How about you?

Free stuff always rocks

If you're interested in reading Blood Rights and want to try to win a copy, there's a contest on Goodreads you can enter here. With 10 copies of Blood Rights up for grabs, your chances are ten times better!

Of course, you can always just pre-order it, too. ;o)